Iron Maiden is a device of torture. It dates back to the medieval device that is used to either kill or torture a person. The device consisted of a cabinet made of iron with spikes on the inside. Once the box was closed the person would be completely impaled. The torture mechanism worked in a different way. The awkward position of the device did not allow the person being tortured any freedom of movement. It slowly pierced them and they slowly bled to death.

Iron Maiden is also the name of a very famous and popular heavy metal band. Their debut album of the group and its title song was also called Iron Maiden.

A British comedy film of 1962 was also titled The Iron Maiden and a character in the hit film Residential Evil bore the same name as well.